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Tag: army

  • BREAKING: Again, Nigerian Army allegedly invade Delta community

    BREAKING: Again, Nigerian Army allegedly invade Delta community

    There are reports that troops of the Nigerian army have allegedly stormed Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State and shot at members of the community.

    This is coming weeks after Okuama community leaders were arrested by Nigerian soldiers.

    According to a source from the community who told Vanguard that the soldiers entered through Okoloba community early Monday morning, after using drones to monitor the community on Sunday.

    The source said: “As I speak, soldiers and some youths have stormed our community, shooting at anything in sight. They parked their boats at Okoloba and came on foot. The small tents we have built are being razed.

    “Everyone is in disarray; I can’t find my child; why are we being treated in this manner?

    “Why will soldiers team up with our enemies to attack us? Our leaders were arrested weeks ago, and now they have come to sack the community,” he said.

    However, the cause of the latest invasion is still unknown.

    Details to follow…

  • Kagame dismisses over 200 soldiers from army

    Kagame dismisses over 200 soldiers from army

    President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has dismissed over 200 military personnel from the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF), including 21 senior and junior officers, the military announced in a statement on Friday.

    Among those dismissed were Martin Nzaramba and Etienne Uwimana, alongside 19 other senior and junior officers, according to the statement issued by the RDF.

    In addition, the president authorised the termination of contracts for 195 other ranks within the RDF.

    No official reasons were provided for the dismissals, but under Rwandan law, military personnel can be dismissed from the RDF for “gross misconduct.”

  • 273 Army officers jostle for senior staff course

    273 Army officers jostle for senior staff course

    No fewer than 273  Army Officers on Sunday began a week-long Senior Staff Course Qualifying Examination (SSCQE), held at the Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna State.

    The examination is being conducted by the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Nigerian Army.

    President of the Examination Board, Maj.-Gen. Kelvin Aligbe, said it was a major prerequisite for the officers to attend the Senior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji and other Staff Colleges overseas.

    He stressed the need for the officers to qualify for the course required no further emphasis.

    Aligbe, who is the Commander, TRADOC, said , “I believe that while majority of you are on first attempt, others are attempting the examination for the second or third time.”

    He  assured   all  the candidates that they can pass the examination without resorting to illegal or fraudulent means.

    Aligbe informed them that a team of competent and dedicated members of the examination panel had worked in the past one week to prepare it.

    He said, ”They tried to put together what I regard as fair and acceptable requirements and solutions for this examination.

    “The requirements are fair enough for any serious-minded candidate to tackle successfully.

    ”I would like to emphasise that your performance in this examination is a key determinant of your progress in the Nigerian Army.

    “It is therefore important that you all put in the seriousness and determination that would produce the best result.

    “I  would also like to assure you all of the absolute integrity and understanding of members of the examination panel and Directing Staff (DS).

    Aligbe assured that all the serious-minded and hardworking candidates amongst them had nothing to fear.

    He explained that the examination was not only about writing a tes, saying, ”it is an assessment of your present level of proficiency.

    ”It will also determine your capabilities to undertake higher responsibilities that may be assigned to you now and in future.

    “Fortunately, you are well trained and most of you have been in one theatre of operation or the other and you all had enough time to prepare for the examination.

    “There should therefore be no excuse for failure and I expect nothing short of 100 percent pass in this examination“.

    Aligbe reminded the candidates that they were on a crucial assignment and their conduct during the examination could make or mar their careers.

    “The secret to making it in this examination is to have absolute confidence in your abilities and a dogged determination to succeed in a legally acceptable way.

    “There is no need to be pessimistic or contemplate failure, if you have prepared well for this examination

    “In fact, our desire is for all of you to pass and qualify for selection to the AFCSC.

    “On our part, I assure you of our determination to carry out a meticulous and painstaking marking of your answer booklets and accurate recording of your marks.

    “We shall be firm, but fair to all of you. I wish you all God’s guidance and success, “Aligbe said.

    Earlier in his address,  the Commander, Infantry Corps , Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede , said the importance of the examination cannot be over-emphasized.

    He said that  it was aimed at elevating the candidates to the middle cadre of the Nigerian Army.

    Oluyede urged the candidates to put in their best in order to come out successful.

    “Let me also remind you on the need to abide by the rules of the exam and the requirement to maintain highest level of integrity and discipline expected of officers and gentlemen,“ Oluyede said.

  • Army detains soldier over death of protester in Kaduna

    Army detains soldier over death of protester in Kaduna

    The Nigerian Army has detained a soldier who killed a 16-year-old boy, Ismail Mohammed while attempting to stop hoodlums who were causing mayhem in Samaru, Zaria in Kaduna State on Tuesday.

    This is contained in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Nwachukwu said the troops received a distress call that some hoodlums gathered in Samaru area of Zaria  in large numbers, burning tyres on the road and pelting stones on security personnel.

    He said the troops immediately mobilised and arrived at the scene to disperse the mob and enforce the curfew imposed by the State Government.

    “On arrival at the scene, the hoodlums brazenly attempted attacking the troops prompting a soldier to fire a warning shot to scare the hoodlums away, which unfortunately led to the death of a 16 year old boy Ismail Mohammed.

    “The soldier involved has since been arrested and undergoing interrogation as at the time of this report,” he said.

    Nwachukwu said the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, was saddened by the unfortunate incident.

    He said the COAS had sent a high-powered delegation led by the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Maj.-Gen. Lander Saraso to visit and condole with the family of the deceased.

    According to him, the deceased was buried according to Islamic rites with senior military officers of the Nigerian army in attendance.

  • How soldier shot my 18-year-old son dead in my house – Mother laments

    How soldier shot my 18-year-old son dead in my house – Mother laments

    Zainab Sani, mother of 18-year-old Isma’il Muhammad allegedly shot dead by a soldier on patrol in Samaru, Zaria has happened on the incident.

    The deceased’s mother said the shooting occurred around 9.00 a.m., at their residence at Sarkin Pawa Street, Samaru, Zaria, by a trigger-happy soldier on patrol alongside his colleagues.

    She said the late Isma’il was playing with his friends and brother in front of their house when they saw soldiers coming in their direction.

    “With one of the soldiers pointing his gun at them, they ran into the house and shut the gate,” she said.

    She alleged that the soldier, however, shot at the gate, thereby killing Isma’il, who stood by the gate to prevent the soldiers from gaining entrance.

    She added that his son had just written his final secondary school examination in Zaria and was seeking admission to further his education when the incident occurred.

    Meanwhile, Maj.-Gen. MLD Saraso, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, has disclosed the Nigerian Army will investigate the incident.

    Saraso disclosed this when he visited the family of the deceased in Zaria on Tuesday.

    The GOC later addressed youths in the area, saying that he was in Zaria to commiserate with the family and the community over the incident.

    He assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted on the matter and invited any community member with substantive evidence to forward the same for necessary action.

    Saraso said the incident was unfortunate, urging the community to live in peace and always abide by the law and order.

  • Army reaffirms ban on unauthorised use of military camouflage

    Army reaffirms ban on unauthorised use of military camouflage

    The Nigerian Army (NA) has reiterated that the ban on the unauthorised use of military camouflage remains in full effect.

    The Director of Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said this in a statement on Sunday while reacting to a video depicting a soldier molesting a civilian for wearing Army Desert Camouflage uniform.

    Nwachukwu said the video footage was a stale audio-visual being circulated by individuals with malicious intent to create tension between the military and the civilian populace.

    He said that only personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Force were legally permitted to wear military camouflage.

    Nwachukwu said the regulation became expedient as terrorists, insurgents, and other imposters had exploited the misuse of military camouflage to commit heinous crimes, thereby posing significant security threat.

    “The Nigerian army remains committed to upholding the law and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.

    “We urge the public to disregard the re-circulated video and to remain vigilant against attempts to sow discord and tension within the country.

    “The unfortunate incident in question occurred in 2021, and the army took immediate and decisive action at that time.

    “The soldier involved was arrested, tried, and appropriately punished for his unacceptable behaviour, which violated the core values of the Nigerian army, particularly the respect for others and their fundamental rights,’’ he said.

  • How notorious millionaire kidnapper used ransom proceeds to build hotel-Army

    How notorious millionaire kidnapper used ransom proceeds to build hotel-Army

    The Nigerian Army, has revealed how a notorious kidnapper built a big hotel from proceeds earned from ransom collected from abductees.

    The Army in a statement on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, said one of the suspects, Ifeanyi Godwin, built a hotel from the proceeds of kidnapping.

    In Anambra State, troops on patrol successfully intercepted and arrested two suspected IPOB/ESN members identified as Ifeanyi Godwin and Uche Onuoha, in a Toyota Highlander SUV, near Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area (LGA),” the statement read.

    “The suspects were found in possession of 2 pump-action rifles, 41 cartridges, a hand-held communication radio, and fetish objects.

    Further investigations revealed their involvement in criminal activities and have been on the Nigeria Police Wanted list since 2023. Preliminary investigations further revealed that Ifeanyi Godwin allegedly owned a hotel from proceeds of kidnapping used as an IPOB/ESN operations base

    “Similarly, in Oyo State, troops acting on credible intelligence raided the residence of a suspected kidnap kingpin identified as Bello Chikidawoje, in Bodija Area of Ibadan North LGA.

    The operation led to the recovery of 2 AK-47 rifles, magazines loaded with ammunition, and additional rounds buried inside an animal’s cage. Efforts are underway to apprehend Bello Chikidawoje and dismantle his criminal network.

    In a separate operation in Katsina State, troops responded to a distress call about terrorists blocking the road in Ruma Yargamji, Batsari. The swift action by the troops compelled the terrorists to flee, resulting in the recovery of 3 empty AK-47 magazines along their withdrawal route.

    In Kankara LGA, Katsina State, troops acted on intelligence about terrorists planning an attack on commuters returning from the village market

    “Troops confronted the terrorists, leading to the neutralization of one terrorist and the recovery of an AK-47 rifle and ammunition. The decisive actions of the troops prevented a potential attack and disrupted the terrorists’ plans

    “The successful operations point to the commitment of Nigerian security forces in combating criminal elements and ensuring the safety and security of communities across the country

    “We urge all Nigerians to continue to support their troops to further enhance their operational effectiveness.”

  • 69 Boko Haram insurgents surrender in Niger, Cameroon – Army

    69 Boko Haram insurgents surrender in Niger, Cameroon – Army

    69 Boko Haram insurgents and their families on Monday surrendered to the Multinational Joint Task Force authorities in Cameroon and Niger Republic.

    This was made known via a statement on Tuesday by the task force Public Information officer, Lt.-Col. Abubakar Abdullahi said the development followed a fresh operation.

    According to him, the operation took place between July 1 and July 6, 2024, when their hideouts were raided by troops.

    He said the terrorists surrendered during combined maritime operations between Cameroon and Nigerian forces.

    He explained that the surrendered groups were 13 men, 43 women and children.

    “On the same day, 12 family members of the terrorists comprising five women and seven children were rescued.

    “Both the surrendered individuals and the rescued family were handed over to the troops of Sector 1, Operation Hadin Kai in Gamboru and Banki for further action,” Abdullahi said.

    He further said that the troops of sector 4 in Niger Republic had on July 1, 2024, received a 24-year-old terrorist, Tijjani Muhammad, who surrendered with one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, and numerous 7.62mm rounds.

    The information officer added that Muhammad had escaped from the Boko Haram camp, located at Libye Soroa, following pressure mounted by Operation Lake Sanity II.

  • 10 Generals bow out of Army as insurgency continues to escalate (See Full List)

    10 Generals bow out of Army as insurgency continues to escalate (See Full List)

    Despite the escalation of insurgency in the country, ten officers of the Nigerian Army, all on the ranks of a general, have retired from active service after successfully serving out their required number of years.

    The Generals, from the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps (NAAC), comprise six Major-Generals and four Brigadier-Generals.

    They include: Major-General Nsor Okpa Ojiji, Major-General MH Magaji, Major-General GB Audu, Major-General M Danmadami, Major-General JG Mohammed and Major-General UI Mohammed.

    Others are Brigadier-General A. Israel, Brigadier-General BA Mohammed, Brigadier-General D. Abdulsalam and Brigadier-General SP Akpan.

    Speaking on behalf of the others who were also pulled out of service, Ojiji expressed delight at being able to complete the years of active service successfully and commended the Army leadership for the roles played.

    He, however, appealed that more be done for those still in service to make them perform optimally in the service of the nation.

    “We recall that the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps (NAAC) has a lot of challenges, which range from poor accommodation to inadequate professional and medical facilities, amongst a myriad of others.

    “Today, however, I am happy to note that there are many very functional accommodation blocks; even the ambience of these barracks is very welcoming. Many resources and efforts have changed the situation. This is heartwarming.

    “Kudos to commander NAAC, his team of officers, soldiers, and their families, who are determined together that things must improve in the corps,” he said.

    Ojiji highlighted the need to address poor equipment grading, especially in formations and units and appealed to the Minister of Defence to look into it.

    He added, “We hope that the minister of defence, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, also make this his cardinal objective during his tenure. I plead with the Hon. Minister through this medium to deem it fit to do so.“

    On his part, the commandant of the Armoured Corps, Major General Mohammed Ahmed, congratulated the retired officers, wished them well in their future endeavours and urged them to make themselves readily available for consultations and helpful advice on improving the Armoured Corps.

    “We are happy we did what we should do. We carry out a lot of services to the community, ranging from free medical services to the provision of pipe-borne water, among others, and if they tell us about their problems, we promptly attend to those problems.

    “There is no army in the world that has enough, and the Nigerian Army has developed its capacity to the level that you can see in most of our equipment, which is highly maintained,” Ahmed said.

  • Army dismisses claim of recruiting jihadists

    Army dismisses claim of recruiting jihadists

    The Nigerian Army says audio-visual recording being circulated purportedly suggesting that the army is recruiting Islamic fundamentalists and jihadists is misleading.

    This is contained in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Nwachukwu said the footage also falsely portrayed an officer calling on Muslim young men to join the military to protect and propagate Islam.

    He said that the narrative depicted in the footage is not in any instance a reflection of the true values and standards of the army.

    “It is targeted at sparking palpable anxiety and fear, sowing discord and mistrust amongst our personnel, eroding public confidence in the integrity of the army,“he said.

    Nwachukwu said it is also targeted particularly among Christian and non-Muslim communities, who might feel their lives and faith are under threat, and ultimately engender religious crisis in the country.

    “The Nigerian army remains steadfast in upholding professionalism and impartiality as an institution devoid of ethnic and religious bigotry.

    “Our operational and administrative processes and actions are guided by the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and not ethnicity or religious sentiments,” he said.

    Nwachukwu urged the public to dismiss this misleading report, which evidently stems from a misconception and lack of understanding about Nigerian Army’s Standing Operating Procedures (SOP).

    He said it was crucial to restate that any deviation from army’s SOP was met with appropriate disciplinary action, regardless of the personnel’s religious affiliation.

    “We call on all citizens to rise above these divisive tactics and stand united.

    “The strength of Nigeria lies in her unity in diversity, and it is this unique national strength and trait that the army seeks to protect while carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.

    “The Nigerian army remains committed to serving and protecting all Nigerians, irrespective of religious or ethnic affiliations.

    “Let us work together to maintain the peace and unity of our great nation,” he said.